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Why Camp is Good — for All of us!

What comes to mind when you think of camp? Summer? Lakes? Campfires? S’mores? All are great traditions we have at each of our camps, but more and more, our members want to know the value of an activity. In other words, am I (or my daughter, my troop) getting what we expect at this program? Rest assured, at any of River Valleys’ camps, you are getting that and much more!

In the September/October 2005 issue of Camping Magazine, authors Viki Kappel Spain, M. Deborah Bialeschki, Ph.D., and Karla A. Henderson, Ph.D, outlined why camp is a great place for kids of all ages to spend time at in the summer. The highlights include:

Camps can teach children that physical exercise is fun and can be an activity of choice over television and video games.There’s nothing better than seeing a camper hit the archery target for the first time or master a canoeing stroke. At our camps, we offer activities ranging from archery to canoeing to field games to off-site trips; being active is a way of life at all River Valleys’ camps!

Camps look for innovative, fun, tasty ways to provide healthy choices and decision-making skills to their campers. Camp is about trying something new—whether that’s a new way of cooking and eating food (like over a campfire) or trying something new altogether (like Marmalade French Toast). At each of our meals we offer meat-free options on the table. so girls can try what they would like. And we communicate with families ahead of time, so campers who have food allergies and intolerances can still enjoy their camp favorites and try new recipes.

Camp staff provide positive feedback and focus on the process of doing your best, emphasizing participation rather than winning or being the best. In River Valleys, we build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. At camp, we also teach our campers how to communicate, use teamwork, and live in a small group. When campers develop these skills and integrate into the camp community, camp really becomes a place to return year after year and develop as a person.

“Camp is a great place to offer good food, great activities, a positive environment, safe and secure location, and most of all, fun.” We couldn’t agree more, and we look forward to seeing you at many camp sessions this summer!